Inexpensive And Useful Golf Putting Device

ABSTRACT

This is an inexpensive device for practicing putting that is able to simulate sloping greens of two different speeds that has the additional advantages of being quick and easy to set up and to use. Simply using common household items underneath the flexible surface simulates a sloping green, and flipping it over gives you the two different speeds.

IMAGES

Images are included on separate sheets.

FIG. 1 is a top and bottom view of the putting device. FIG. 1A is anexploded side view of one way the bumper can be attached to the board.FIG. 2 is a top and bottom view showing the bumpers removed from theboard. FIG. 3 is a side view of the putting device. FIG. 4 shows theputting device leaning up against a wall showing a possible position forthe logo.

DESCRIPTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to golf putting devices having the ability to bequickly and easily adjusted by the golfer to simulate putts of differentspeeds and different amounts of break and with the additional advantagesthat it can be set up and taken down quickly and easily.

2. Background of the Invention

There are many examples of golf putting devices in which the slope ofthe putting surface can be adjusted by using complicated mechanisms. Oneof the more recent examples is U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,721 wherein theundulation is varied using multiple helical springs. Multiple otherpatent examples of even more complicated mechanisms are listed in thispatent and are included herein by reference.

There is also an example of a variable surface in combination with areversible flexible panel with two different coverings to simulatedifferent putting surfaces (U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,522), but in thisexample the mechanism for varying the surface is more complicated as isthe reversal of the surfaces compared to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This putting device is an indoor practice putting aid that willencourage effective practice due to its similarity to actual conditionsand the ease of set-up. The device is constructed of a flexible boardthat is simple to set up. A device that is simple to set up will be usedmore often, and the increased repetition of the putting stroke will leadto putting skill improvement. Numerous practice putting aid devices thatallow for breaking putts are known, but have time consuming anddifficult set-up procedures. They are also in general, very expensive.This present putting device has no springs, screws, complicated wedgesor other items used to simulate breaking putts like those referencedearlier. This putting device uses common household items such as shoes,tapered blocks, pillows or books to cause the slope in the surface. Toset up the device, just lay the putting board down with the face youdesire to use on top and place any common household item under the boardnear the hole to give the desired undulation. In order to change thesurface, you just turn the putting board over. The board is easilystored against a wall or underneath a bed.

The most inexpensive type putting practice aids normally include acarpet that is rolled out on a floor or flat surface. These wrinkleeasily and are not very effective putting practice. This putting boardutilizes carpets or coverings that are mounted on a smooth board, forexample, a ¼-inch flooring type hardboard, 5 to 8 feet long and 1 to 2feet wide. The dimensions are preferably 60-72 inches in length and16-20 inches wide. The smooth board can be covered on one or both sidesby a suitable artificial material, such as felt or carpet. It ispreferable covered on both sides as the putting speed of a smooth boardexceeds the speed of most greens. The flexibility of the hardboardshould be such that it allows the putting stroke area of the puttingboard (the first 20 inches of the board) to remain lying flat on thefloor or flat surface when the hole end of the putting board is elevatedup to at least 2.5 inches. Any smooth board with the proper flexibilityis suitable for this device. The board can be made of any suitableflexible smooth substrate, including wood, wood composite, plastic orplastic composite. The size is optimized for ease of storage and set up.Smaller would be of little use for practice and longer makes the productdifficult to ship and to store. This is a very inexpensive practiceputting aid to construct.

The use of smooth board for the putting surface and allows the ball toroll much like a golf green. When putting on real golf greens, playersencounter various speeds of roll daily or when playing different golfcourses with many types of grasses.

This putting board is reversible with a faster speed (less rollingfriction) on one side and a slower putting speed (greater rollingfriction) on the other side. Various carpets and similar materials canbe used to achieve different putting speeds. For example, special logocarpets can be used on one side to give a medium speed. Pool table typefelt or a similar lightweight product can be used on the other side ofthe putting board to achieve a faster speed. Other materials can be usedfor slower speeds and these are often suitable for outdoor use.

The intent of this putting board practice aid is to improve puttingskill by practicing “feel” in the putting stroke. Great putters,professionals and amateurs, have one thing in common when putting—anexcellent feel for the speed in which the ball rolls as they putt. Todevelop better feel and speed, many players will focus their practice on40 foot putts and 4 foot putts. On most every green, a player will facea long putt and a short putt. This device focuses on the short putt, 4-5footers that are crucial in developing good putting skills and lowerscores. Having the ability to change putting speed allows the player tovary their practice and develop more “feel” for the stroke.

A normal size putting hole is 4¼″ but for practice use, this puttingboard hole is cut to about 4″ to help hone the skills of the golfer andbuild confidence. Any size from 3-4.25 inches in diameter is suitablefor this invention. Smaller hole sizes will cause frustration on thepart of the golfer.

A lightweight flexible foam type material such as common ½-inch pipeinsulation can be used for the bumpers around the putting board. Thistype product is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter and provides a0.75-inch bumper on each side of the putting board when the board isinserted in the slit in the insulation. All the coverings and bumpermaterials are adhered to the hardboard to promote a clean appearance anda smooth roll of putt. Various other materials can be used for thebumper material. It is even possible to extrude a plastic sheet with abumper already in place.

This putting board would have the ability to be logoed with one or morefavorite sports team or business logos which would be an importantcontribution to the value of the board. Most practice aids would bestored or put away in a closest or garage type area. This putting boardwith the logo included, would be an attractive display for the typicalsports enthusiast family room, den or office.

Right or left-handed putters use the putting device in the followingmanner. The putting board is laid flat. The putting hole end of theputting board is elevated 2.5-4 inches by placing two household propssuch as pillows, books, or shoes on each side of the board,approximately equal with the hole so the player is always putting anuphill putt. A small flat box can be placed under the hole (especiallyon hardwood or tile floors) to catch the balls. Due to the simple natureof the design, there is no ball return; however each time the balls areretrieved, the props can be adjusted to a different style putt.“Breaking” putts can be adjusted up to one inch in either direction(right to left putt or left to right putt) by moving the location of theprops. That amount of “break” is most common of the typical 4-5 footputts encountered on the golf course.

The hole is located approximately 6 inches from the back edge whichallows a putt with good speed to contact the rear bumper and stay on theputting board but those putts hit to hard will bounce over the bumperand off the board. This reinforces the need to develop the proper amountof speed on your putts. Missed putts will roll back to you so you canrepeat the putt.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf putting device comprising: A reversible,flexible, smooth board of 5 to 8 feet in length and 1 to 2 feet widewith a hole near one end, wherein the top and bottom faces providedifferent rolling frictional forces to mimic two different green speeds,wherein the edges of the board near the hole end are covered with amaterial which provides a bumper when used on either the top or bottom.2. The golf putting device of claim 1, wherein said board is preferably5 -6 feet long and 16-20 inches wide.
 3. The golf putting device ofclaim 2, wherein said board is preferably 5 -6 feet long and 16-20inches wide, wherein the bumper is a foamed pipe insulationapproximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
 4. The golf putting device ofclaim 2 wherein said board is preferably 5 -6 feet long and 16-20 incheswide, wherein the board covering is printed with one or more logos of asports team or business, wherein the bumper is a foamed pipe insulationapproximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
 5. A golf putting devicecomprising: A reversible, flexible, smooth board of 5-6 feet in lengthand 16-20 inches wide with a hole near one end, wherein the top andbottom are covered with different materials to provide different rollingfrictional forces to mimic two different green speeds, wherein the edgesof the board near the hole end are covered with a material whichprovides a bumper when used on either the top or bottom.
 6. The golfputting device of claim 5 wherein the foam material is pipe insulationapproximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
 7. The golf putting device ofclaim 5, wherein the board covering is printed with one or more logos ofa sports team or business, wherein the bumper material is foam pipeinsulation approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.